First Aid Security guard training

Last Updated on December 11, 2024 by Ranga

First aid for security plays a crucial role in life-saving situations by providing temporary treatment to an injured person until professional medical help arrives. In a medical emergency, first aid security is essential because security professionals often serve as the first responders. Knowing first aid you can ensure immediate care and stabilize the situation.

What is First Aid for Security?

First aid is the immediate treatment of a patient before trained medical personnel can take over. A trained security guard can provide first aid to the injured individuals to prevent worsening the situation further.

What is the aim of first aid?

The aim of first aid can be summarized in three key objectives, often referred to as the 3Ps (Principles of First Aid):

1. Preserve Life: The primary goal is to save lives by providing immediate assistance to an injured or ill person.
2. Prevent Further Harm: Take steps to avoid worsening the condition, such as preventing additional injuries or complications.
3. Promote Recovery: Support the healing process and help the person recover until professional medical help is available.

How Should You Respond to a Medical Emergency?

A security guard is the first responder to a medical emergency.  Your actions can significantly impact saving the injured or ill person. When you are at the scene you require calmness, quick thinking, and follow proper procedures. Here are the key steps to follow

1. Assess the Situation Quickly and Safely:

• Evaluate the environment to ensure your safety and that of others.
• Determine the severity of the emergency and prioritize immediate actions.

2. Call for Appropriate Assistance:

• Call the emergency services or medical professionals without delay.
• Provide clear and accurate information about the location and nature of the emergency.

3. Identify the Injury or Illness:

• Observe the casualty to determine visible injuries or signs of illness.
• Ask bystanders for additional details if they witnessed the incident.

4. Provide Early and Appropriate Treatment:

• Provide first aid based on the priority of the injuries.
• Ensure you work within the limits of your training and avoid causing further harm.

5. Comfort and Reassure the Casualty:

• Stay calm and provide reassurance to the person in distress.
• Keep them informed about what is happening and ensure they feel supported.

6. Hand Over to Emergency Services:

• Share all relevant details with the arriving medical professionals.
• Inform them about any first aid provided or observations made.

7. Prepare and Submit Incident Reports:

• Prepare the incident report accurately, including the actions you took and the response from emergency services.
• Submit the report to the appropriate authorities or your supervisor.

What is important for the security guard at the scene of a medical emergency?

When you arrive at the scenes of injury or medical incident the most important thing is to survey the sites and identify the following;

1. What physical hazards are present?
   • Evaluate the area to determine any potential dangers that could pose a risk to the Injured, bystanders, or yourself.
2. How can the risk of further harm be reduced?
   • Take necessary steps to secure the area and prevent additional injuries or escalation of the situation.
3. Levels of consciousness of the casualty or casualties
   • Check the responsiveness of the casualty or casualties to determine their condition and prioritize actions accordingly.

What types of hazards could be included in the medical scene?

In responding to the medical incident, a security guard should control the hazards present at the site the types of hazards could include;

• Vehicles and traffic
• Machinery and equipment
• Live electricity
• Contaminants or chemicals
• Debris and damaged construction materials
• Flammable liquids or gases

What Does Basic Life Support Mean?

Basic Life Support (BLS) refers to the essential care provided during a medical emergency to sustain life and prevent the condition from worsening until advanced medical help arrives. It involves the following key actions:

1. Initial Assessment of a Casualty
   Quickly evaluate the casualty’s condition, including their level of responsiveness, breathing, and circulation.
2. Maintaining an Airway and Breathing
   Ensure the casualty’s airway is clear and that they are breathing adequately. Assist if needed to restore or maintain breathing.
3. Resuscitation (CPR)
   Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if the casualty is not breathing or has no pulse to restore circulation and oxygen supply to vital organs.

Basic Life Support is a critical skill in emergencies to preserve life and improve the chances of recovery.

First Aid in Catastrophic and Heavy Bleeding

1. Catastrophic Bleeding
   When a casualty is bleeding from a major artery, it is a life-threatening situation as death can occur within minutes. Immediate action to control the bleeding is essential to save the casualty’s life.
2. Heavy Bleeding
   If there is obvious heavy bleeding, it should be treated as the top priority before proceeding with the primary care cycle. Quick and effective action can prevent the situation from becoming catastrophic.

Conclusion

Recognizing the critical role of security guards as first responders, many countries’ private security regulatory agencies have incorporated first aid security training into their security guard certification programs. This training prepares security professionals to handle accidents requiring urgent medical assistance, ensuring timely and effective care.

Go to the next section: First Aider reponsibilities click here.

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